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South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences

On-line version ISSN 2222-3436Print version ISSN 1015-8812

Abstract

DE VILLIERS, Pierre and NEL, Soon.The opportunity cost of the upkeep of the criminal justice system in South Africa from 1980 to 2006. S. Afr. j. econ. manag. sci. [online]. 2010, vol.13, n.4, pp.407-423.
ISSN 2222-3436.

South African crime rates rose to unacceptably high levels between 1980 and 2006. As a result, vast amounts of funds were devoted to the upkeep of the criminal justice system - correctional services, justice and the police. Although it is necessary to spend a certain amount on the criminal justice system, South African expenditure was excessive. The excess funds spent on the upkeep of the criminal justice system could have covered the cost of financing the entire backlog in schooling facilities and a large part of the current housing shortage.